Organisational Structure
IBA’s enabling legislation, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Act 2005, sets out specific requirements in relation to its purposes, functions and powers, as well as the responsibilities of its Board and its General Manager.
The IBA Board is responsible for ensuring the proper and efficient performance of the functions of IBA and for determining IBA’s policies, subject to any direction given to it by the responsible Minister.
IBA is a statutory body subject to the provisions of the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies (CAC) Act 1997 in relation to reporting and accountability, banking and investment, and conduct of officers. Exemptions from a range of broader policies and legislation enable IBA to act commercially, consistent with its legislative charter.
IBA’s General Manager is responsible for managing IBA’s day-to-day administration, in line with policies determined by the Board. The General Manager is assisted by a management team, based in Canberra, who manage IBA’s business activities.
Figure 23: Organisational structure, 30 June 2009
At the operational level, IBA is organised into eight branches. Three branches operate as business branches responsible for delivering two programs and five branches have enabling or supporting functions (Figure 24).
The three business branches, or program areas, correspond to output groups for the purposes of performance reporting:
- Investments delivers the Equity and Investments Program (Output Group 1.1).
- Homes delivers the Home Ownership Program (Output Group 1.2) and the
Home Ownership on Indigenous Land Program (Output Group 1.4). - Enterprises delivers the Business Development and Assistance Program (Output Group 1.3).
For a full report of the functions and performance of the business branches, see ‘Performance review’, pages 19 onwards. Figure 1 in that section shows the outcome and output structure.
A brief description of the responsibilities of the four branches with enabling or supporting functions follows.
Figure 24: Operational structure, 30 June 2009
Finance
The Finance branch is responsible for IBA’s financial management and reporting within the larger Australian Government financial framework. It is responsible for:
- managing the financial framework of IBA and its investments
- ensuring optimum use of IBA’s financial resources
- managing the internal and external budgeting process
- reporting on financial matters to management
- providing analytical support to program areas.
Corporate
The Corporate branch supports the day-to-day functions of IBA with the following services:
- communications and marketing
- governance and reporting
- ministerial liaison
- human resources
- information and communications technology
- records management and office services
- assets management.
Legal Services
The Legal Services branch supports the IBA Board, Executive and business units with a range of legal and governance services, including:
- providing and coordinating legal support and advice, including liaising with external legal advisers
- advising on the legislative and policy environment affecting IBA
- developing and maintaining precedent legal documentation
- advising on IBA’s legal, ethical and governance framework
- handling freedom of information and Ombudsman inquiries
- advising on internal compliance issues
- providing company secretary services to the IBA Board.
Partnerships
The Partnerships branch provides Indigenous economic development policy and research support services by:
- developing high-quality policy advice, including contributing to the development of the Australian Government’s Indigenous Economic Development Strategy
- building a research capability and evidence base for Indigenous economic development decision making
- ensuring effective engagement with key stakeholders, including state and territory governments
- implementing and coordinating strategic projects and processes across IBA.
State Coordinators provide local networking and access to government and private sector networks to identify opportunities and proposals.
Constructions
The Constructions branch supports IBA and other government business by providing design and construction advice and project management services.